Photo Flash: First Look at ANNE OF GREEN GABLES at Provision Theater

Provision Theater Company's Theater for Young Audiences will present the adaptation of the literary classic Anne of Green Gables. The seventy minute play will run July 11 - August 2 with performances on Saturdays at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. at Provision Theater, 1001 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 60608.

Based on the best-selling novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, this new adaptation by Timothy Gregory comes to the stage at Provision Theater. The Cuthberts expect to adopt a boy, but are in for quite a surprise when clever young Anne Shirley steps off the train at Avonlea. Despite her fiery spirit and penchant for getting into trouble, Anne still manages to get into the hearts of every person she meets. It's a heartwarming story for the whole family.

"It has been a delight working on the adaptation of this literary classic. Refining it down to one hour has been a challenge because the entire book is so good you don't want to leave any of it out," says Timothy Gregory, Provision Theater's Artistic Director. "This book's popularity is a testament to the character of Anne Shirley herself because she reminds us that no matter how difficult life can get, all things are possible with 'enough scope for the imagination' and the faith to believe, and of course, love. These are traits that can exist in all of us, and in every part of the world. Anne of Green Gables is now available in Swedish, Dutch, Polish, Danish, Finnish, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Slovak, German, Spanish, Hebrew, Korean, Turkish, Italian, the list goes on. How many books can make that claim that were written over 100 years ago?"

The cast of Anne of Green Gables features Mary-Margaret Roberts as Anne Shirley, Deanna Boyd as Marilla Cuthbert, and Mike Rogalski as Matthew Cuthbert. The cast also includes Brando Crawford, Sydney Cusic, Sage Dassinger, Sofia DeCarlo, Graceyn Dowd, Valerie Gorman, Jaclyn Holtzman, Ann James, Judith Laughlin, Kelly Levande, Joseph Nelson, Laura Leonardo Ownby, and Jackie Richards.

Anne of Green Gables will be directed by Timothy Gregory. The production team includes Scenic Designer and Technical Directer Carl Ulaazek, Props Designer Mary O'Dowd. Lighting Designer Chazz Malott, Sound Designer David Pierczynski, and Costume Designer Michelle Dassingers.

Photos by John Hockberger and Simon Sorin